Floor treating machine



Jan. l5,- 1935. E. EDSTRM 1,983,193

l FLOOR TREATING MACHINE i i Filedqune 1e, 1951 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. l5, 1935 PATENT oi-FicE I 1,988,193 FLoon 'raEA'rxNG MACHINE Eric Edstrm, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to` Inventia Patent Verwertnngs Gesellschaft, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application June. 16, 1931, Serial No. 544,798 In Germany July 18, 1930 '15 Claims. (Cl. 51-1'77) My invention relates to oor polishers and particularly to electrically operated polishers provided with one or more rotatable discs arranged to contact the surface to be treated. In floor polishers of this type these discs are ordinarily provided with brush bristles which, when rotated in contact with the floor, serve to polish the same. My invention contemplatesthe provision of attachments for iloonpolishers of this type whereby other operations, such as grinding, waxing and polishing with a cloth, may be performed. The implements made in accordance with my invention may be readily clamped to the brush disc and supported .and rotated thereby, even though the bristles thereof have become worn down a substantial extent.

A further object of my invention is to provide an implement of thisy type having two operating surfaces and so arranged that it may be reversed when one surface becomes worn.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which is to be considered a part of this specification and on which:

Fig. 1 is a front view. chiefly in cross-section, of a floor polisher including my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a brush disc provided with a floor treating implement embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 2 andy is taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 isa cross-sectional view of a brush disc provided with a somewhat modied embodiment of a floor treating implement;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a clamp shown in eachof the preceding figures;

Fig. 6 is a top view of a somewhat modified form of clamp;

Fig. 7 is atop view of a still further modified form of clamp;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 oi Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference character 10 designates the frame ofl a floor polisher. Rotatably mounted on frame 10 by means of spindles 11 and bearings 12 is a plurality of carrier discs 13. In Fig. 1 there are shown two such carrier discs but it will be understood that any suitable number might be employed. The type of oor polisher shown is that disclosed in application Serial No. 286,663, flied June 19, 1928,

by 4Engberg et al., Patent No. 1,901,497 issued March 14, 1933, but it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in various types of machines..

Mounted on frame 10 is an electric motor 14 5 arranged with its axis in a vertical direction. Motor 14 is provided with the usual armature shaft 15 rotatably mounted in bearings 16 and 17. Shaft 15 extends below bearing 17 and is provided with a pulley wheel 18. A belt 19 passes 10v around pulley 18 and around the rims of carrier discs 13.

Carrier discs 13 are formed with two or more apertures 20. Mounted on discs 13 adjacent to' apertures 20 are spring fastening devices 21 15 adapted toengage members 22 and to releasably hold said members in position. Members 22 are `secured to a brush disc 23, which disc is provided with an annular ring of brush bristles 34 which extend from the disc in the opposite direction from 20 members 22. In the center of disc 23 is a downwardly extending portion 24 having an aperture 25 extending therethrough. The upper portion of aperture 25 is. cylindrical in order to engage a cylindrical member 26 on carrier disc 13. The 25 lower part of aperture 25 is rectangular, as shown at 27 in Fig. 3. Both ends of rectangular opening 27 are provided with projections 28. The outside of member 24 is preferably knurled, as is shown at 29, in order toprovide a hand grip surface. The under side of projection 24 constitutes a bearing surface.

To secure brush disc 23 to carrier disc 13, the brush disc is grasped byhand grip 29 and the members 22 are inserted into apertures20 and are 35 `forced past spring fastening devices 21, which devices retain members 22 and discs 23 in position. Projection 26 engages the, circular wall of aperture 25 and serves to steady the disc. Upon rotation of carrier discs 13 by motor 14 through the 40 medium of belt 19. brush discs 23 are caused to rotate.

Any convenient formyof handle 30 is pivotally secured to the housingof motor 14 by means of y bolts 31. A shield 32 is secured between motor 14 45 and frame 10 and has a skirt portion 33 which encloses carrier discs 13 and a portion of brush discs 23. Bristles 34 protrude below the bottom ofskirt 33 in order thatl they may contact the surface of the door. A band of rubber 35, or other soft material, isprovided around the lower edge of skirt 33 in order that the floor polisher will s not damage articles of furniture or the like with which it might accidentally be brought into contact. 55

with.

' sented to the floor.

It is often desirable to use -a floor polisher of or to polish it with material other than the brush bristles. To'this end I have provided attachments or implements which may be readily secured to the above described brush discs. A preferred embodiment 'of such an implement is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The implement comprises a circular piece of flexible material 36, such as cloth or the like. Secured to cloth 36 in any suitable manner are a pair of annular floor treating members37. Members 37 may be provided with sandpaper or other abrasive material and may be comparatively rigid and have an outside diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of the annular ring of bristles 34. Secured to the central portion of cloth 36 is a rigid rectangular reinforcing member 38, shown in perspective in Fig. 9, having a rectangulary opening therethrough `of substantially the same size as the rectangular opening 27 in member 24. The cloth 36 is like- Wise provided with a similar opening 39. The ends of member 38 are each bent to form a Z- shaped bar 40 which extends through elongated slots formed in the cloth adjacent to the opening 39 therethrough. Cloth 36 is preferably folded back upon itself, as is shown at 41, to form.

a reenforcement around opening 39 and particularly where the cloth is engaged by the 2slaped bars 40. In place of the reinforcing member 38, shown particularly in Fig. 9, there may be employed a grooved rectangular frame clamped over the edges of the material of cloth 36 surrounding opening 39.

Rigid member 38 is releasably secured to brush disc 23 by means of a clamping device 42. De-

vice 42 comprises a circular plate 43 from which extend two resilient arms 44. When in position, plate 43 bears against the lower side of rigid member 38 and arms 44 extend through the opening therein and protrude into the rectangular 42 which, together with bristles 34, causes cloth 36 and the grinding devices 37 to rotate there- If one of the grinding devices 37' becomes worn, clamping device 42 may be removed, which releases the cloth 36 from the brushdisc. The cloth may then be turned over and clamping device 42 replaced, whereupon the implement is ready for use with the other grinding device pre- 'I'his reversal may be effected because of thel flexible nature of cloth 36 between the grinding devices 37 and the central rigid member 38. 'I'his annularflexible ring of material also permits the implement to be used with brushes the bristles of which have been worn down an appreciable amount. If desired, va knob or handle may be placed on the under side of which maybe used to polish a floor. Felt 45 is provided with a pair of slots 46 adjacent the central portion thereof through which may extend arms 44 of clamping device 42. The central portion may be stiiiened and reinforced by being impregnated with oil or shellac. Clamping device 42 is' the same as that previously described in connection with Fig. 2. Inasmuch as felt 45 is flexible, itmay be removed and turned over so that the other side is presented to the floor. Rotation of brush disc 23 imparts rotation to felt 45 through the medium of clamping device 42 in the same manner as described in connection with the implement shown in Fig. 2. The outer annularportion of felt 45 may be impregnated with wax if it is desired to use the device for waxing is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. 'I'his device comprises a circular disc 51 to which is secured a member 52 provided with resilient arms 53. Arms 53 are similar to the arms 50 shown Iin Fig. 6 or the arms 44 shown in Fig. 5. Member 52 is secured to disc 51 in tle manner shown in Fig. 8 which comprises the formation of a hole 54 in the center of the disc and the bending'of the material` surrounding the hole back around the edges of a somewhat larger hole formed in member 52. Member 52 is, in effect. riveted to disc 51, but the material of the rivet is part of the material of the disc. Slots 55 are formed in disc 51 in order that arms 53 may have greater freedom of movement when inserted into or removed from the opening in the brush disc.`

While I have shown and described a limited number of embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that they are for purposes of illustration only and that my invention4 is to be given the broadest scope commensurable with the appended claims when viewed in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In a oor polisher, a circular brush disc, means for rotating said disc', an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, Said disc having a central opening therein, a flexible reversible floor treating implement adapted to be carried by said disc in contact with the ends of the bristles and provided with a central opening, and a resilient member extending through the opening in said implement and releasably engaging the walls of the opening in said disc for securing said .implement to said disc.

2. In a floor polisher, a'circular brush disc, means for rotating said disc, an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, said disc having a central opening therein surrounded by a bearing surface, a circular floor treating implement portion provided with an aperture and a flexible e annular portion connecting the two rigid portions, and aresilient member extending throughv the opening in said rigid central portion and releasably engaging the 'walls of the opening in means for rotatingrsaid disc, an annular ringV of bristles carriedv by and extending from said disc,

ysaid disc having a central opening therein sur. rounded by'a bearing surface, a circular floor` treating implement adapted to be carried by said' disc and comprising a rigid outer annular portion having substantially the same outer diameter as said annular ring of bristles, a rigid cen'- tral portion provided with an aperture and a flexible annular portion connecting the two rigid portions, and a resilient member extending throughl the opening in said rigid central portion and releasably engaging the walls o'f the opening in said disc forclamping said rigid central portionagainst said bearing surface, said exible portion retaining said rigid outer annular portion in'substantial alignment withsaid annular ring of bristles.

v4. In a iioor polisher, a circular brush disc, means for rotating said disc, an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, said disc having a central non-circular opening therein, a floor treating implement comprising a sheet of flexible brous material adapted to be carried by said disc in contact with the ends of the bristles and provided with a non-circular opening, and a noncircular resilient member extending through the opening in said implement and releasably engagingthe Walls of the opening in said disc `for securing said implement in fixed relationship to said disc. l

5. In 'a iioor polisher, a circular brush disc,

vmeans for rotating said disc, an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, said disc having a central opening therein, a floor treating implement adapted to be carried by said disc and comprising a circular piece of flexible material, an annular ring of floor treating material having substantially the same outer diameter as said annular ring of bristles secured on either side of said exible material and a rigid member secured to the central part of said exble material, said rigid member and ilexible material having an opening formed therethrough, and a resilient member extending through the last-mentioned opening and releasably engaging the walls or the opening in said disc for securing said implement to said disc.

6. In a oor polisher, a circular brush. disc, means for rotating said disc, an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, said disc having a central opening therein, a floor treating implement adapted to be carried by said disc and` comprising a circular member of felt provided with a pair of slots adjacent to its central portion, and a fastening member comprising a at plate and a pair of resilient arms attached thereto, said armsv extending through the slots in said `felt member and releasably engaging the walls of the opening in said disc.

7. In a oor polisher, a circular brush disc, means for rotating said disc, an annular ring of bristles carried by said disc, said disc having a central opening therein, a oor treating implement adapted to be carried by said disc and comprising a circular member orfelt having its central portion impregnated with a stiiening material and provided with a pair vof slots, and a fastening member comprising a flat plate and a pair'of resilient arms attached thereto, said ytrms extending through the slots in said felt member and releasably engaging the walls oi.' the opening in said disc.

8. Apparatus for treating floors vand the comprising an annular disc having a downwardly extending central projection,.bristles secured in said disc and projecting downwardly therefrom 4around and extending beyond said central projection, a member vof soft material adapted to have a part resting against the Aends of the bristles, a part-adjacent said centraiprojection and an intermediate part inclined tothe firstmentionedpart, and means for releasably holding said member in such position comprising a resilient element adapted to extend through said material and yieldably engage' said central projection. Y

g. Apparatus for treating iioors and the like comprising an annular disc having a downwardly extending central projection, bristles secured vin said disc and projecting downwardly therefrom around and extending beyond said central projection, av member of soft material adapted to have a part resting against the ends of the bristles, a part adjacent said central projection and an intermediateparti inclined to the firstmentioned part and reversible to have a like reciprocal position, and means for releasably holding said member in such positions comprising a resilient element adapted to extend through said material and yieldably engage said central projection.-

like

10. Apparatus for treating iioors and the like comprising an annular disc haging a downward-- ly extending central projection, bristles secured in said disc and projecting ownwardly therefrom around and extending beyond said central projection, a member of soit material adapted tohave a pat resting against the ends of the bristles, a part adjacent Vsaid central projection and an intermediate part inclined to the iirstmentioned part and reversible to have a like reciprocal position, and means for releasably holding said member in such positions comprising an element'having resilient projections adapted to extend through said material in either direction and yieldably engage said central projection.

11. Apparatus for treating oors and the like comprising an annularA disc having a downwardly extending central projection, bristles secured in said disc and projecting downwardlythereirom around and extending beyond said central projection, apiece o1' :felt adapted to have a part resting against the ends ofthe bristles, a part adjacent said central projection and an intermediate part inclined to the mst-mentioned part, and

means for releasably holding said felt in such a part adjacent said centraly projection and an intermediate part inclined to the first-mentioned part, and means for releasably holding said member in such position comprising a resilient element adapted to extend through said material and yieldably engage said central projection, said disc, member and element being formed to prevent relative rotational movement between them when the parts are held together.

1a. Annemans for treating noon maine like comprising an annular disc having a downwardLv extending central projection, bristles secured in saldi/disc' and projecting downwardly therefrom around and extending beyond said central projection, a piece of felt adapted to have a pax'ti'est ig against the ends o! the bristles, apart adjacent said central projectionand an intermediate part inclined to thev mst-mentioned part, saidfelt being reversible to havea like reciprocal position.

.and 'means for relei'isabl'y holding said felt in such positions comprising an element having '1,988,198 r disc having a non-circular. Portion andy bristles around the central portion, jot asheet of nexime num material adapted to' contact the 'Y ends oi' the bristles and means to secure said.'

sheet to said-.disccompnsing 1s. In a nocipolisher. tire combi'stifwitn'a disc having a central non-circular portion and bristles around said central portion, of i.y reversible' met o f iiexible fibrous material adaptedr to v contact the ends ot the bristles and means tok v secure said sheet'to said disc comprising a memv Y i es yto pass age'said non- 'circularportiom a e memberadapteq ber adapted to pass through the sheet andenv gage said non-circular portion. .g Y ERIC EDSTRM. 

